Posted by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 21-01-2010
Lanzarote is one of the seven Canary Islands. The Spanish owned archipelago which is sometimes refereed to as the European Caribbean. As these islands enjoy great weather all year round, thanks to their location off the south west coast of Morocco – on the same line of latitude as the Bahamas. And are just a four hour flight from major markets such as the UK, Eire and Germany.
This clement climate makes the islands one of the most popular winter and summer sun destinations in Spain. Second only to Catalonia in terms of tourist numbers. Boasting great beaches and a unique culture that is a real melting pot of Spanish, African and Latin American influences. Reflecting their location on the old shipping route between the Old world and the New.
However whilst some of the larger islands such as Tenerife now bear all the signs of over development little Lanzarote remains largely untouched by tourism. Thanks to strict local planning laws that outlaw all high rise developments and advertising hoardings. Whilst the three main tourist resorts are all carefully confined to the south east shoreline.
During the course of 2009 Lanzarote welcomed just under 1.4 million foreign tourists. With around half of them opting to stay in one of the island’s 200 plus hotels. With the remainder booking self catering accommodation in privately owned Lanzarote villas or apartments.
The star attraction is undoubtedly the Montañas del Fuego – or Fire Mountains. The scene of enormous eruptions some 250 years ago which have left much of the interior looking like the surface of the moon. With solid lava carpeting an area of around 200km square – punctuated by the burnt out peaks of now dormant volcanoes.
The scenery here is so surreal and dramatic that it has been used as a location by numerous film makers. Most recently Pedro Almódovar who shot some of his latest release Broken Embraces, starring Penelope Cruz, in and around the volcanic region. Whilst Apollo 13 astronauts were shown pictures of the Fire Mountains in order to help them prepare for their own lunar landings.
As well as the volcanic region Lanzarote is home to nearly 100 beaches and the many works of César Manrique. A local artist who fused his own creativity with the volcanic terrain to create unique visitor attractions such as the Jameos del Agua and Mirador del Rio.
Lanzarote is a very small island – measuring just 60km by 40km – which makes it easy to explore. Car hire in Lanzarote is also very affordable – with rental rate starting from just €90 per week.
